In-feeding and rinsing device for grading systems

Abstract

In-feed device (1) for feeding objects onto a grading apparatus (13) for grading sensitive products. The in-feed device (1) comprises a new type of sliding plates (4, 5) and vibrating motors (7) to arrange the objects and to rinse small particles from the objects to be graded.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An in-feed device for feeding, rinsing and arranging an uneven stream of individual objects onto a grading apparatus, wherein the in-feed device comprises:
 a frame; 
 a receiving tray; 
 one or more sliding plates each having an in-feed end, an out-feed end, a ridged bottom surface, and a gap between each of the ridged bottom surfaces; and 
 one or more vibrating units attached to the frame, wherein the receiving tray and the one or more sliding plates are attached to the one or more vibrating units in an inclined position, wherein the gap between each of the ridged bottom surfaces increases in width from the in-feed end towards the out-feed end, wherein a last portion of each gap widens to form an opening in the ridged bottom surface for rinsed and arranged objects to fall through, and wherein a lowest sliding plate of the one or more sliding plates has a stopping member. 
 
     
     
       2. The in-feed device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ridged bottom surface of the one or more sliding plates is formed by elongated ridge members. 
     
     
       3. The in-feed device according to  claim 1 , wherein the grading apparatus comprises a plurality of ridge belts arranged side by side and moved continuously in a forward direction, forming a gap there in-between, the ridge-belts being longitudinally supported by a plurality of guide rails and one or more adjusting devices being arranged underneath the ridge belts and supporting plurality of guide rails, for adjusting the distance between the ridge belts. 
     
     
       4. The in-feed device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of dividing boards extended side-by-side substantially perpendicular to the forward direction arranged inbetween the grading apparatus and the in-feed device adapted to ensure that the objects falling from the in-feed device to the grading apparatus lie parallel to the forward direction. 
     
     
       5. The in-feed device according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of dividing boards is substantially parallel to the forward direction. 
     
     
       6. The in-feed device according to  claim 1 , wherein the objects are marine species comprising shrimps. 
     
     
       7. A method for feeding, rinsing and arranging an uneven stream of individual objects onto a grading apparatus, the method comprising:
 feeding the objects to be graded onto the receiving tray of  claim 1 ; 
 providing a vibration to the receiving tray and the one or more sliding plates, wherein the receiving tray and the one or more sliding plates are arranged in an inclined position in a functional connection to the one or more vibrating units, and 
 wherein the gap between each of the ridged bottom surfaces increases in width from the in-feed end towards the out-feed end for sorting out debris and small particles and wherein the last portion of each gap widens to form an opening in the ridged bottom surface for rinsed and arranged items to fall through, and 
 wherein a stopping member on a lowest sliding plate of the one or more sliding plates forces the objects to fall through the opening in the ridged bottom surface. 
 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising arranging a plurality of dividing boards in between the in-feed device and the grading apparatus adapted to ensure that the objects falling from the in-feed device to the grading apparatus lie parallel to the moving direction of the grading apparatus.